Spring.



N0. 66l,822. Patented Nov. l3, I900. T. A. SHEA. SPRING.

{Application filed Ax g. 25, 1900.)

(No Model.)

r INVENTOR fifi awww a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. SHEA, or OSWEGO, NEW YoRK,'Ass1cNoR TO THE NATIONAL RAILWAY SPRING COMPANY, or SAME PLACE.

SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 661,822. dated November 13, 1900. Application filed August 25, 1900. Serial No. 27,993. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: of the lower half of the spring and the upper Be it known that I, THOMAS A. SHEA, of half supported thereon. Fig. II is an en- Oswego, in the county of Oswego, in the State larged side elevation of a-bearing-plate deof New York, have invented new and useful tached. Fig. III is an end elevation thereof. 55 Improvements in Springs, of which the fol- Fig. IV isatop plan view. Fig. V is avertical lowing, taken in connection with the accomcross-section through the main leaf and the panying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact bearing-plate in position thereon. Fig. VI is description. a bottom plan of the main leaf of the spring,

My invention relates to the bearing-plate showing the form of the notches. Figs. VII 60 1o fitted to the end of an elliptic or semi-elliptic and VIII show variationsiu the form of these spring on which the load is supported; and it bearingplates and hangers fitted thereto, consists in aspecial construction of such bearadapted to sustain heavy loads on semi-elliping-plate by which it may be permanently setic springs, as in the ease of locomotives, cured to the end of the spring by mechanical tenders, (he. 5 means without injuring or weakening the In the figures, 1 indicates the lowerhalf of parts. Heretofore such plates have been fitthe spring, and 2 the main leaf thereof,forlned ted to the ends of the spring, but separable with the long shallow notches 3 3 near the therefrom, so that they maintained their poend, with sides inwardly inclined toward the sition in use, but were often lostin transporunder face to fitthe dovetailseaton the bear- 70 2o tation and during repairs. The plates have ing-plate, end plate, or dabb 5. These also been permanently secured to the main bearing-plates are formed separately of malleaf of the spring by welding, which is more leable iron or other suitable metal, with these expensive and liable to injure and weaken dovetails inclined outwardly, as best shown the parts because the heat of welding often in Fig. III; but when the parts are assembled 75 burns the main leaf or draws the temper, they are forced in, filling the notches, as best rendering it brittle. I have overcome these shown in Fig. V, and locking the plate firmly objections by making the plate with integral in position. This construction of dovetails elongated lips of dovetail form on its under fitting the shallow rather long notches is imside and forming the end of the main leaf portant, for the plates must be locked in place 80 0 with corresponding grooves or notches. The without any possibility of being detached in plateis then seton theleaf end,andthe lips are use. Here the sides 6 6 of the bearing-plate hammered or forced inwardly to engage with are perforated at 7 7 for the bolt 8, to which the notches, whereby the plate is fixed peris fitted eyes on the end of the upper half 9, manently and securely in place. These lips carrying the load. 85 or dovetails must be of sufficient length to In Figs. VII and VIII are shown, respecgive a secure hold and the notches formed tively in side and front elevation, two forms exactly to correspond, so as to fill completely of hearing plate fitted to the main leaf of a the notches. The notches mustnot be deep, seini elliptic spring and formed to support for to form a deep notch in the leaf would, theso-calledstirrup-hangerl0orthegib- 0 4o weaken it. hanger 11, (indicated in dotted lines,) which I have shown my invention in connection carry the load. The stirrup-hangerspans the with an elliptic spring in which the 'bearingbearing-plate and depends on both sides thereplates are fitted to the lower half and the upof. The gib-hanger depends through a hole per half and the load supported thereon. in the bearing-plate and hangs on a cross-pin 5 My invention may be adapted to other 12. These plates, made of wrought-iron or forms of bearing-plates, such as those fitting other suitable metal, are economical to make the ends of semi-elliptic springs on which the and secure in position, the spring is uninload is supported by a hanger. V jured, it is not weakened in any way, and the In the drawings, Figure I is a side eleva-. hanger-plate is then fixed permanentlyin po- I00 tion of an elliptic spring, showing these bearsition for all purposes and cannot be removed ing-plates or end plates applied to the ends or lost. It is particularly adapted for heavy springs used for locomotives, tenders, 850.,

but may be applied to lighter springs and but those lugs did not effect permanent attachment, were not so imended, and could not be so used. Such'attachment can he effected practically only by my peculiar dovetails and the peculiar notches made to receive them. 7

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination in a semi-elliptic spring, having notches in its main leafnear the ends,

and a bearing-plate with dovetails corresponding to said notches and adapted to be forced inwardly to fill the notches engaging With the main leaf and securing the plate permanently in position.

2. In combination with a spring having elongated notches on each side near its ends,

hanger-plates fitting the ends of the spring and having elongated integral dovetails on their upper side, said dovetails inclining slightly outwardly and being beveled on their inner surfaces and adapted to be forced in- Wardly to fill the notches and secure the plate permanently in position.

3. In combinationaspring-leafformed with elongated shallow notches on both sides of each end, said notches being slightly deeper on the under side of the spring and a hangerresponding to said notches, said dovetails inclining slightly outwardly and'being adapted to be forced in to fill the notches and secure the plate permanently in position on the Spring. y I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

. plate provided-with elongated dovetails cor- 

